Analyze the effect of phosphorus on the mechanical properties and microstructure on cast iron

Abstract

Cast Iron FC250 with phosphorus alloy is used as electrode connector in the aluminum electrolysis process at PT. Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (Inalum), that is used to connect the rod with carbon anode. It will be crushed after the carbon anode dimension is reduced, that takes approximately 30 days. In order to make crushing process easier, phosphorus alloy then added into such FC250. The objective of the study is determining phosphorus effect on FC 250. The methodology consists of determine the test specimens, initiate such specimen of casting by varying the amount of phosphorus percentage of 0.3%, 0.5%, 0.7% and 0.9%, then perform mechanical testing and microstructure observation on each specimen. The result is, as the percentage of phosphorus in FC 250 increased, so its hardness value whereas the value of the tensile strength even decreased. Form the microstructure point of view, the "steadit" increased as well in line with the rise of phosphorus.